During May I relished all the autumn leaves, that we do not get on the Gold Coast, by going inland and visiting Tenterfield on the Great Dividing Range. Being almost 1000 metres above sea level they have a cooler climate than the sub tropical zone I live in and the trees were glorious. If you want another look go here.
But now winter is coming. In my garden the Snow Flake bush (Euphorbia leucocephala) signals the change of season with an exuberant display of white blossom, like phantom flakes drifting across the sky.
Can you just see the splash of orange behind the bush? That is the last of the Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia).Notice it is double-headed and so is the one in the background, I’ve not had any like that before. Most of the tropical plants have now stopped flowering and bunkered down till the warm weather comes back.
The frangipani has finally lost all its leaves and the bare branches reach for the sky.
But can you see the one brave bunch of fragrant flowers making a final curtain call before finally shutting down for winter.
This is where I tried to grow paper daisies, they were a failure, so out they came and went into the compost. Look what very quickly took over. These feral nasturtium seedlings will fill this gap up and make a vibrant display in spring. I am planning to put a native Correa in here. I have it in a pot at the moment (I know I said “no more pots”…) but as winter is the dry season I will wait till spring before putting it in.
The Bauhinia corymbosa is flowering yet again, it loves this west-facing fence and almost flowers all year brightening up the back garden. The rest of the garden has not changed much from last month (take a look here)
Our normal winter, June to August, has an average temperature range from night 10C to day 20C, no frosts but also very little rain and lots of sun.
**************************
Su Leslie of “Zimmerbitch” is hosting a monthly challenge “changing seasons” were she invites you to share the changing seasons in your part of the world, or something that means May. Pop over to see the rules of this monthly challenge.
That first sentence seems funny. I still cannot get used to autumn color this time of year. However, it does make sense that winter is the dry season because it it REALLY summer! Ha!
Our river moved about a bit so that it looks really dry through town. I am told that it is high in Santa Cruz. I suppose it depends on how sediment was deposited. So, if there is sediment in Santa Cruz, it makes the river seem deeper. If there is less than normal just downstream from here, it seems lower because this spot in the river drains better. It is hard to imagine that it is all the same river. Regardless, I do not like to see it this low on the first day of summer/winter (our driest season).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to admit I never feel the Christmas spirit over here in mid summer. There is a movement to have Christmas in June, when it is colder. All commercialised of course……
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am all for protecting important holidays, but Christmas is so ruined anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Far too commercial
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Pauline, strangely enough your top temps have not been so very different from ours. I do love that euphorbia, but I don’t think I could grow it here: its flowers put me in mind of a white poinsettia. I just had a look and they both belong to the spurge family. I didn’t know that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know that either. They are frost tender so don’t think they would survive out your way. Day temps are still mid 20’s but dropping fast
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your description of the Snow Flake bush. It looks beautiful 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jo, the closest I will ever have of snow in the garden
LikeLike
Your garden is always a delight to see, Pauline!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue, it is a delight to see it changing all the time
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Snow Flake bush is gorgeous, looks like our May blossom from a distance. I notice a pot with waterlilies – do they keep the water oxygenated? I have thought of using a tub as a water feature but worried it would attract midges.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That snow flake bush does look like may bush, just had a friend emailed me a photo of her may flower hedge that looked stunning, she said best season for flowering she could remember. That pot pond has oxygen weed in it and also small fish to eat midge and mossie larvae, never have any problems with them, except have to top up with water regularly when we haven’t had any rain
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds good. Do you have to feed the fish then?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only feed them a small sprinkle of gold fish flakes every now and again, plenty of bits fall in the pond to keep them happy
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always lovely to see your garden Pauline. The euphorbia is gorgeous and I’m totally intrigued by the double-headed Bird of Paradise. I’ve never seen one before 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll keep an eye on that bird of paradise it may be a new sport worth cultivating
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
[…] Changing Seasons: May 2018 from Pauline at Living in Paradise […]
LikeLike
Your winter sounds great to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would you believe by August and night temps sometimes drop below 10C locals start to moan about the cold… not me though, I love it….
LikeLike
It’s so odd to think you’re entering Winter and we’ll be entering Summer soon. Christmas there in Summer would be bizarre even for me coming from a mild winter climate. 🙂
I loved your description of the last Frangipani flower making a curtain call.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must admit even after living with a summer Christmas for nearly 60 years it still seems strange
LikeLiked by 1 person
The bird of paradise is glorious isn’t it Pauline. As is the rest of your beautiful piece of heaven! Heading into summer here. I shall be envious of your cool temps in another few weeks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tina the bird of paradise is the last of the tropical flower to still be flaunting it’s vibrant colours
LikeLike
What a beautiful garden you have! I can see myself sitting there just enjoying the view for hours! Thanks for the inspiration today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a very rustic garden and I like sitting outside. Thanks for the lovely comment
LikeLike
[…] I am so late with my monthly “changing seasons” update this month. Gosh a third of June already gone. I’m so pleased Su of “Zimmerbitch” runs this challenge as it prompts me to try and keep a record of each month. I can go back to last year and see what was happening 12 months ago. […]
LikeLike
[…] it prompts me to try and keep a record of each month. I can go back to last year and see what was happening in 2018 and […]
LikeLike